Women in the World Summit

The Women in the World India Summit took place on November 20, 2015, at the Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi. This internationally recognised, powerful live event, co-hosted by Anand Mahindra, Barkha Dutt, Nita Ambani, and Shabana Azmi, featured a stellar line-up of international and Indian names including Academy Award winning actress Cate Blanchett; Madhuri Dixit; Nandita Das; Smriti Zubin Irani; Iranian female race car driver Laleh Seddigh; the founder of Nigeria’s “Bring Back Our Girls” campaign, former World Bank Vice President for Africa Obiageli Ezekwesili; an Israeli and a Palestinian mother working together to find peace, Robi Damelin and Bushra Awad; William Dalrymple; HSBC’s Naina Lal Kidwai, and many other extraordinary global women of influence.

Their purpose: to share news-making stories and offer insights on how women and girls are changing the world. “Since we began hosting our summits seven years ago, we have seen a step change across the world,” said Tina Brown. “Now more than ever, women are leading culture, political and economic change and making their voices heard. Women in India are playing vibrant new roles in every aspect of society, so it’s only natural that we bring the live journalism of Women in the World here.”

2015 INDIA SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS

“In our industry there is a fear of being political, not saying anything. [Cate] Blanchett spoke of Paris and Beirut and on her work being so insignificant. But here everyone is so nervous to say anything. I am forever seen as an activist by actors,” said actor and director Nandita Das.

“Earlier, for instance, no one went to the gym and didn’t need to look sculpted. Today, it is about manufacturing beauty. It is becoming complicated. There is a lot of image building. Now, everyone has a stylist. My mother laughs at me because it takes three people to get dressed. That ‘just got out of bed’ look? That takes an hour,” said actress Soha Ali Khan

“Pure feminists are selfish. Learn to be clever instead — if you act like a lady, and learn to manage men, you will get what you need and be able to sit back while men do all the work,” said Iranian racecar driver Laleh Sedigh

“We must not forget that the refugee crisis got global attention only when they started fleeing to Europe … We must not forget that the same Muslims who are refugees are running away from ISIS. People in the East are as scared of ISIS as in the West,” said Zainab Salbi during a panel with photojournalist Lynsey Addario, Head of Communications of UNHCR Melissa Fleming, and actress Cate Blanchett.